General Care Discussion

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:59 am

Wonderful, thank you!

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 9:16 am

Hello Everybody.

Just a quick update on Buddy. I hope im not being optimistic, but I think he is getting a little better. He is half way through his antibiotic treatment and still being fed the baby food and pediatlyte. It looks like he might be gaining some of his weight back, he dont look as emaciated and his color seems to be improving. He still doesnt want to much the pellets, but with as much baby food as I am cramming in him, that dont surprise me. I want to fatten him up real good. I know over feeding is bad, but I hate seeing him so skinny. Anyways, rather than basking non stop, he has been wanting to dive in the tank a couple times a day over the last few days so that makes me think he is getting a little better. Also, I noticed last night, he started shedding, rather a lot so I hope that means he is getting better and bigger. His eyes seem to be getting better. I changed out the heating lamp with a regular lightbulb and the temp seems fine, I just had to move it a little closer than the other bulb. His UV bulb is still the same. I sort of think the heat lamp was baking him. Since I changed the bulb his eyes has improved a ton, although that might be from the antibiotics and his infection clearing up as well. After I finish the antibiotics, I will take him in for his 5th vet visit and hope for good news. Thanks again for the well wishes and everything, I think it is working. I'll keep you updated, and when he is all healthy and better, I will start posting a bunch of pics again. I totally re-did his basking area. I love it. Hope all of your little ones are healthy and cute.

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:32 pm

You are doing a great job. I really really hope he gets well soon. When he's well, I hope he appreciates all you've done for him - he's a lucky little guy.

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:40 pm

Keep up the good work and we'll keep sending good thoughts your way.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:11 am

Glad to hear he is getting better!

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 7:11 pm

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Buddy. Hope he pulls through.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 7:49 pm

Good Luck with him!!!!1

Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:52 am

Hey again everybody. Just another update, along with a question. Buddy seems to be getting better and better. He is shedding right now so its hard to jusdge skin condition, but his colors seem to be getting better, when he was sick his colors looked wierd, dark, not vibrant. Now he is colorful again. Also, and this is my question, throughout his sickness he hasnt wanted to swim much, now he is starting to swim little by little, but he floats. I know that is a sign of sickness right? Being real bouyant? That is slowly going away as well, everyday he sinks a little more ito the tank rather than floating on top. he is symetrical, not lopsided, but still floaty. He is able to dive a little now, but then floats back to the top. The fact that he can suberge himself is a good sign right?

Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:59 am

Yeah, give him a few days up to a few weeks to fully submerge again. They get little bubbles trapped throughout their bodies and you have to allow the bubbles to leave little buy little. Even if he becomes a little lopsided, as long as it's slowly going away, everything should be fine.

Thank goodness he's getting better!! He's a little survivor!

Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:32 pm

I got some very sad news guys. Buddy passed away this afternoon. I am so completely confused as to why though. As my last couple posts had suggested he was on the mend. Even today I was thinking to myself that he will soon be a normal turtle. Then when I got home, he was dead. I dont get it. The tank is perfect, I just cleaned it again this weekend, temps good, he gained most of his weight back, was just getting to where he could submerge again, then all of a sudden, dead. What the hell happened? I took him to the vet 4 times and he was on a pretty hefty antibiotic treatment. He was getting active again. Why???? Any ideas? I only had him for a couple short months, and he was sick the whole time. Poor little guy. I sure got attached to the bugger in the couple months though. He was so cute and fiesty when it was medicine time, I thought that was cute.

Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:39 pm

So sorry doc. What sad news. I hate to hear it.

Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:41 pm

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear.

It's strange that he passed so suddenly when he seemed to be getting better. Was the illness ever completely diagnosed? Maybe the vet missed something, but chances are he just gave out.

Sh*t happens. And sometimes it's unfair.

Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:30 pm

I am so Sorry Doc! I used to work for a vet and it did seem that sometimes the sick animals rallied just before the end. I don't know why. Sometimes I've heard stories of dying people having moments of peace and clarity just before the end. Maybe its like that, a chance to say goodbye. I hope you can take some solace in the fact that you made his last days comfortable. :cry:

(((hug)))

Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:05 am

Oh no!!!!!! I'm so so sorry to hear. You were doing so much for him.
So sorry. You did your best for sure.

Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:51 am

I'm so sorry to hear about this, Doc. I'm new to the RES world, but I know what it feels like to lose a pet.
Thanks for taking him to the vet and caring for him. Sorry for your loss.

General Care Discussion :: Buddy is pretty sick

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